<p>Crossing a road on a busy day can be a daunting and time-consuming process. The problem is aggravated when the road allows for two-way traffic movement, with practically no dividers or medians. People often find it hard to handle the never-ending stream of traffic.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Dividers help people cross the road. However, many narrow roads in the City don’t have this provision to assist pedestrians.<br /><br />Many people point out that during peak hours, it is quite difficult to cross. Rahul, a professional, explains that there have been times when he has been stuck for ten to 15 minutes in the middle of a busy street. <br /><br />“The rush does not reduce and people like us, who have to cross, get stuck in the middle of the road. This has happened to me on Millers Road. The traffic makes it difficult for pedestrians to walk, leave alone cross. There is no differentiation of traffic and people don’t stick to their respective lanes. This adds to the overall confusion,” he says.<br /><br />M A Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic and law and order) explains that there are different specifications for different roads, when it comes to installing central medians and dividers. <br /><br />“Two-lane roads generally don’t have a central median, a four-lane road will have a central median of one foot and a six-lane road will have a median which is two feet wide. It depends on the roads,” he says. <br /><br />“We have provided zebra crossings for many of the busy roads and also provide extra time for pedestrians to cross the roads during peak traffic hours at signals,” he adds. <br />“Currently, we are trying to make Millers Road two way and provision will be made for pedestrian crossing. We also request motorists to be supportive and allow people to cross the street, in places where there are no zebra crossings and signals,” he says.<br /><br />Srikanth, a student, says that motorists don’t bother about pedestrians and ride or drive despite noticing that someone is struggling to cross the road. <br /><br />“When there is no police presence, which is generally the case on such streets, crossing becomes impossible. Two-wheelers speed off and don’t stop even when we request them to. It is only when the stream of cars and two-wheelers passing by reduce, that pedestrians can cross the road,” he informs.<br /><br />Others who take public transport and have to walk to the bus stand, point out the apathetic attitude of the two-wheeler and four-wheeler users, especially when there are no central medians and zebra crossings. <br /><br />“If we look at western countries, people value pedestrians but here, things are very different. The cars and bikes don’t stop for us to cross the street and I feel that a traffic policeman should be deputed at busy traffic signals, only to help pedestrians cross,” says Praneeth, a student.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Crossing a road on a busy day can be a daunting and time-consuming process. The problem is aggravated when the road allows for two-way traffic movement, with practically no dividers or medians. People often find it hard to handle the never-ending stream of traffic.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Dividers help people cross the road. However, many narrow roads in the City don’t have this provision to assist pedestrians.<br /><br />Many people point out that during peak hours, it is quite difficult to cross. Rahul, a professional, explains that there have been times when he has been stuck for ten to 15 minutes in the middle of a busy street. <br /><br />“The rush does not reduce and people like us, who have to cross, get stuck in the middle of the road. This has happened to me on Millers Road. The traffic makes it difficult for pedestrians to walk, leave alone cross. There is no differentiation of traffic and people don’t stick to their respective lanes. This adds to the overall confusion,” he says.<br /><br />M A Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic and law and order) explains that there are different specifications for different roads, when it comes to installing central medians and dividers. <br /><br />“Two-lane roads generally don’t have a central median, a four-lane road will have a central median of one foot and a six-lane road will have a median which is two feet wide. It depends on the roads,” he says. <br /><br />“We have provided zebra crossings for many of the busy roads and also provide extra time for pedestrians to cross the roads during peak traffic hours at signals,” he adds. <br />“Currently, we are trying to make Millers Road two way and provision will be made for pedestrian crossing. We also request motorists to be supportive and allow people to cross the street, in places where there are no zebra crossings and signals,” he says.<br /><br />Srikanth, a student, says that motorists don’t bother about pedestrians and ride or drive despite noticing that someone is struggling to cross the road. <br /><br />“When there is no police presence, which is generally the case on such streets, crossing becomes impossible. Two-wheelers speed off and don’t stop even when we request them to. It is only when the stream of cars and two-wheelers passing by reduce, that pedestrians can cross the road,” he informs.<br /><br />Others who take public transport and have to walk to the bus stand, point out the apathetic attitude of the two-wheeler and four-wheeler users, especially when there are no central medians and zebra crossings. <br /><br />“If we look at western countries, people value pedestrians but here, things are very different. The cars and bikes don’t stop for us to cross the street and I feel that a traffic policeman should be deputed at busy traffic signals, only to help pedestrians cross,” says Praneeth, a student.<br /><br /></p>